Display device

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first substrate including a first signal line and a second signal line adjacent to each other along a first direction, an organic insulating film located on the first signal line and the second signal line, and a first spacer located on the organic insulating film and a second substrate opposing the first substrate and including a second spacer opposing the first spacer. The organic insulating film has a through-hole between the first signal line and the second signal line in plan view. The first spacer is provided to overlap the through-hole in plan view and filling the through-hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2017-249823, filed Dec. 26, 2017, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a display device.

BACKGROUND

A liquid crystal display device in which a spacer is provided on each ofa first substrate and a second substrate has been developed. In such aliquid crystal display device, when the spacers provided on both thefirst substrate and the second substrate are brought into contact witheach other, respectively, thus forming cell gaps. In recent years,display devices are used for display of, for example, virtual reality,augmented reality and the like, and therefore there is a demand of finerdetails in structure. As the devices become finer and more details instructure, the size of spacers as compared to pixels become morenegligible, which may become a factor of degrading the display quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a display device 1 of anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a pixel PX shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a main spacerMS of the display device 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line A-A′ shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along line B-B′ shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a sub-spacer SSof the display device 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along line C-C′ shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken along line D-D′ shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a cross section showing an example of a method of forming afirst spacer PS1 shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing main spacers MS adjacent to each otheralong a first direction X.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of arrangement of main spacersMS shown in FIG. 3 and sub-spacers SS shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing another example of the main spacer.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing another example of the main spacer.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing another example of the main spacer.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing another example of the main spacer.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing another example of the display device 1.

FIG. 17 is a cross section taken along line E-E′ shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing another example of the display device 1.

FIG. 19 is a cross section taken along line F-F′ shown in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a display device comprises afirst substrate including a first signal line and a second signal lineadjacent to each other along a first direction, an organic insulatingfilm located on the first signal line and the second signal line, and afirst spacer located on the organic insulating film and a secondsubstrate opposing the first substrate and including a second spaceropposing the first spacer, the organic insulating film having athrough-hole between the first signal line and the second signal line inplan view, and the first spacer being provided to overlap thethrough-hole in plan view and filling the through-hole.

According to another embodiment, a display device comprises a firstsubstrate including a first signal line and a second signal lineadjacent to each other along a first direction, an organic insulatingfilm which covers the first signal line and the second signal line, aswitching element with a relay electrode provided between the firstsignal line and the second signal line, a pixel electrode connected tothe relay electrode, and a filler provided on the pixel electrode, asecond substrate opposing the first substrate and a display functionlayer provided the first substrate and the second substrate, the organicinsulating film having a first through-hole between the first signalline and the second signal line in plan view, the first through-holebeing disposed above on the relay electrode, the pixel electrodeincluding a connection portion connected to the relay electrode in thefirst through-hole, and the filler being provided on the connectionportion to fill the first through-hole.

Embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The disclosure is merely an example, and properchanges within the spirit of the invention, which are easily conceivableby a skilled person, are included in the scope of the invention as amatter of course. In addition, in some cases, in order to make thedescription clearer, the widths, thicknesses, shapes, etc., of therespective parts are schematically illustrated in the drawings, comparedto the actual modes. However, the schematic illustration is merely anexample, and adds no restrictions to the interpretation of theinvention. Besides, in the specification and drawings, the same elementsas those described in connection with preceding drawings are denoted bylike reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof is omittedunless otherwise necessary.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a display device 1according to this embodiment. A first direction X and a second directionY shown in the figure cross each other. For example, the first directionX and the second direction Y are orthogonal to each other but mayintersect at an angle other than 90 degrees.

The display device 1 comprises a display panel 2, a driver IC chip 3 andthe like. The display panel 2 is, for example, a liquid crystal displaypanel, and comprises a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2,and a liquid crystal layer (a liquid crystal layer LC which will belater) which serves as a display function layer. The first substrateSUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 oppose each other and they areattached together by a sealant SE. The liquid crystal layer is locatedin a region surrounded by the sealant

SE, and is interposed between the first substrate SUB1 and the secondsubstrate SUB2.

The display panel 2 includes a display area DA which display images anda frame-like non-display area NDA surrounding the display area DA. Thedisplay area DA substantially overlaps the region where the liquidcrystal layer is provided. The display panel 2 includes a plurality ofpixels PX in the display area DA. In the example illustrated, the pixelsPX are arranged in a matrix along the first direction X and the seconddirection Y. Further, the display panel 2 includes, in the non-displayarea NDA, the driver IC chip 3 for driving the pixels PX. In the exampleillustrated, the driver IC chip 3 is mounted on a mounting portion MT ofthe first substrate SUB1 which extends to an outer side of the secondsubstrate SUB2. Note that the configuration is not limited to that ofthe illustrated example, but the driver IC chip 3 may be mounted on aflexible substrate connected to the display panel 2.

The display panel 2 of this embodiment may be any one of a transmissivetype equipped with a transmissive display function which displays imagesby selectively transmitting from a rear surface side of the firstsubstrate SUB1, a reflective type equipped a reflective display functionwhich displays images by selectively reflecting light from a frontsurface side of the second substrate SUB2 and a trans-reflective typeequipped with both the transmissive display function and the reflectivedisplay function.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a pixel PX shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates the first substrate SUB1, which is one of thesubstrates which constitute the display panel 2. The illustrated exampleis equivalent to an example in which a fringe field switching (FFS)mode, which is one of the display modes which uses a lateral electricfield is applied. Note that, for example, the first substrate SUB1comprises a common electrode, but illustration of the common electrodeis omitted here.

The first substrate SUB1 comprises scanning lines G1 and G2, signallines S1 and S2, a switching element SW, a pixel electrode PE and thelike. The scanning lines G1 and G2 extend along the first direction X,and are arranged along the second direction Y at intervals. The signallines S1 and S2 extend along the second direction Y, and are arrangedalong the first direction X at intervals. The pixel PX is equivalent toa region surrounded by the scanning lines G1 and G2 and the signal linesS1 and S2.

The pixel electrode PE is located between the signal lines S1 and S2.The pixel electrode PE includes an electrode portion PA and a contactportion PB. The electrode portion PA is formed into a belt-like shapehaving substantially a fixed width, to extend along the second directionY from the contact portion PB. The contact portion PB is located on aside of the scanning line G1 with respect to the electrode portion PA.Note that the pixel electrode PE may comprise one electrode portion PAor may comprise three or more electrode portions PA. Moreover, theelectrode portion PA may extend along a direction which crosses thefirst direction X and the second direction Y, or may partially bend.

The switching element SW is formed between the signal line S1 and thesignal line S2. The switching element SW is, for example, a double-gatethin film transistor. The switching element SW comprises a semiconductorlayer SC, gate electrodes GE1 and GE2, a relay electrode RE and thelike.

The semiconductor layer SC includes a first portion SC1, a secondportion SC2 and a third portion SC3. The first portion SC1 is locateddirectly under the signal line S1. The first portion SC1 extends alongthe second direction Y and crosses the scanning line G1. The firstportion SC1 is electrically connected to the signal line S1 in a contacthole CH1. The signal line S1 functions as, for example, a sourceelectrode of the switching element SW. The second portion SC2 is locatedbetween the signal lines S1 and S2. The second portion SC2 extends alongthe second direction Y and crosses the scanning line G1. The secondportion SC2 is electrically connected to the relay electrode RE in acontact hole CH2. The relay electrode RE has functions as, for example,a drain electrode of the switching element SW. The third portion SC3extends along the first direction X and connects the first portion SC1and the second portion SC2 to each other.

The third portion SC3 and the second portion SC2 are partially locatedin a pixel region shifted from the pixel PX by one pixel along thesecond direction Y (that is, a pixel adjacent to the pixel PX along thesecond direction Y).

The gate electrode GE1 is equivalent to a region of the scanning lineG1, which overlaps the first portion SC1. The gate electrode GE2 isequivalent to a region of the scanning line G2, which overlaps thesecond portion SC2.

The pixel electrode PE is electrically connected to the relay electrodeRE in a third contact hole CH3. Thus, the switching elements SW and thepixel electrode PE are electrically connected to each other. The contacthole CH3 is located between the signal line S1 and the signal line S2,and is formed in a region where the pixel electrode PE and the contactportion PB overlap each other. More specifically, it is preferable thatthe contact hole CH3 be formed at a center between of the pair of signallines S1 and S2.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a main spacerMS of the display device 1. The main spacer MS comprises a first spacerPS1 and a second spacer PS2. The first spacer PS1 is provided in thefirst substrate SUB1. The second spacer PS2 is provided in the secondsubstrate SUB2. The first spacer PS1 includes a first portion P1 and asecond portion P2. The first portion P1 is formed into a belt-like shapehaving substantially a fixed width, to extend along the first directionX. The first portion P1 overlaps the entire contact hole CH3 shown inFIG. 2. In the example illustrated, the first portion P1 overlaps thescanning line G1 as well. The second portion P2 projects from the firstportion P1 in the second direction Y near the contact hole CH3. Thesecond portion P2 and the contact hole CH3 are arranged along the seconddirection Y. In the example illustrated, the second portion P2 hassubstantially a rectangular shape. In the example illustrated, an edgeE21 of the second portion P2 overlaps the signal line S1. An edge E22 ofthe second portion P2 overlaps the signal line S2.

A length (first length) L1 of the first portion P1 along the firstdirection X is greater than a length (second length) L2Y of the secondportion P2 along the second direction Y. That is, the first spacer PS1is has a shape elongated in the first direction as a whole. In theexample illustrated, the first portion P1 crosses the signal line S1 andthe signal line S2, but the first portion P1 may cross some other signalline.

The second spacer PS2 overlaps the first portion P1 and the secondportion P2. The second spacer PS2 extends in the second direction Yfurther than the first portion P1. That is, an edge EP2 of the secondspacer PS2 on a side of the scanning line G2 is closer to the scanningline G2 than from an edge EP1 of the first portion P1 on a side of thescanning line G2. In the example illustrated, the second spacer PS2entirely overlaps the first spacer PS1, but it may partially overlap thefirst spacer PS1. In the example illustrated, the second spacer PS2 islocated between the signal line S1 and the signal line S2 along thefirst direction X.

A length (fifth length) L2X of the second spacer PS2 along the firstdirection X is less than a distance (second distance) DS1 between inneredges of the signal line S1 and the signal line S2. The inner edge ofthe signal line S1 is one of the edges of the signal line S1, whichoppose the signal line S2 and the inner edge of the signal line S2 isone of the edges of the signal line S2, which opposes the signal lineS1.

As indicated by an alternate long and two short dashes line in thefigure, a light-shielding layer BM overlaps the first spacer PS1 and thesecond spacer PS2. The light-shielding layer BM comprises a firstopening OP1 and a second opening OP2. The first opening OP1 opposes thesecond spacer PS2 and the second portion P2 along the second directionY. The first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 are adjacent to eachother along the first direction X.

A length (sixth length) LO2 of the second opening OP2 is greater than alength (seventh length) LO1 of the first opening OP1. More specifically,the first opening OP1 comprises edges EO11 and EO12 extending along thefirst direction X. The edge EO11 is located on a scanning line G1 sideand the edge EO12 is located on a scanning line G2 side. The secondopening OP2 comprises edges EO21 and EO22 extending along the firstdirection X. The edge EO21 is located on the scanning line G1 side andthe edge EO22 is located on the scanning line G2 side. The location ofthe edge EO12 along the second direction Y and the location of the edgeEO22 along the second direction Y coincide with each other. On the otherhand, the edge EO11 is spaced apart from the scanning line G1 furtherfrom the edge EO21.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line A-A′ shown in FIG. 3. Thefirst substrate SUB1 comprises an insulating substrate 10, first tofifth insulating films 11 to 15, semiconductor layers SC, a relayelectrode RE, signal lines S1 and S2, a common electrode CE, a pixelelectrode PE, a first spacer PS1 and a first alignment film AL1.

The first insulating film 11 is disposed on the insulating substrate 10.The semiconductor layers SC are located on the first insulatingsubstrate 11, and covered by with the second insulating film 12. Thesemiconductor layers SC may be formed from, for example, a transparentamorphous oxide semiconductor (TAOS) or polycrystalline silicon.

The signal lines S1 and S2 and the relay electrode RE are formed on thethird insulating film 13 and covered by the fourth insulation film 14.The relay electrode RE is in contact with the semiconductor layers SCvia the contact hole CH2 which penetrates the second insulating film 12and the third insulating film 13. The signal lines S1 and S2, the relayelectrode RE and the scanning lines G1 and G2 may be formed from a metalmaterial such as aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), silver (Ag), molybdenum(Mo), tungsten (W), copper (Cu) or chromium (Cr), or an alloy of anycombination of the metal materials, and each may be of a single- ormulti-layer structure.

The fourth insulating film 14 covers the signal lines S1 and S2 and therelay electrode RE. The fourth insulating film 14 comprises a contacthole CH3 which penetrates therethrough to the relay electrode RE. Thecommon electrode CE is located on the fourth insulating film 14 andcovered by the fifth insulating film 15. In the example illustrated, thefifth insulating film 15 covers the fourth insulating film 14 and is incontact also the relay electrode RE in the contact hole CH3. The firstinsulating film 11, the second insulating film 12, the third insulatingfilm 13, and the fifth insulating film 15 are each formed from, forexample, an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, siliconnitride or silicon oxynitride. The fourth insulating film 14 is formedfrom, for example, an organic insulating material such as polyimide.

The pixel electrode PE is located on the fifth insulating film 15 in aregion substantially overlapping the contact hole CH3. The pixelelectrode PE is in contact with the relay electrode RE in the contacthole CH3. That is, the pixel electrode PE comprises a connection portionCN connected to the relay electrode RE in the contact hole CH3. Thecommon electrode CE and the pixel electrode PE are formed from atransparent conductive material such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO) orindium-zinc-oxide (IZO).

The first spacer PS1 is located on the pixel electrode PE and the fifthinsulating film 15. The first spacer PS1 is provided to cover theconnection portion CN and to fill the contact hole CH3. Thus, theunevenness created around the pixel electrode PE due to the contact holeCH3 is lessened. Moreover, the first spacer PS1 is covered also by thefirst alignment film AL1 as well as by the pixel electrode PE, and thelike. The first spacer PS1 is formed from, for example, an organicinsulating material such as polyimide.

The second substrate SUB2 comprises an insulating substrate 20, alight-shielding layer BM, color filters CF, an overcoat layer OC, asecond spacer PS2, a second alignment film AL2 and the like. Thelight-shielding layer BM and the color filter CF are located on a sideof the second insulating substrate 20, which opposes the first substrateSUB1. The light-shielding layer BM is formed from, for example, a resinmaterial colored in black, as a partition for each pixel. The overcoatlayer OC covers the color filters CF.

The second spacer PS2 is located between the overcoat layer OC and thefirst substrate SUB1. In the example illustrated, the second spacer PS2is located right above the contact hole CH3. The second spacer PS2 isformed from, for example, an organic insulating material such aspolyimide. The second alignment film AL2 covers the overcoat layer OCand also the side surface of the second spacer PS2.

In the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 configured asabove, the first alignment film AL1 and the second alignment film AL2are disposed to oppose each other. As the first spacer PS1 and thesecond spacer PS2 are brought into contact with each other, apredetermined cell gap is formed between the first alignment film AL1and the second alignment film AL2. The liquid crystal layer LC is filledinto the cell gap. Note that between the first spacer PS1 and the secondspacer PS2, at least one of the first alignment film AL1 and the secondalignment film AL2 may be interposed, or the first alignment film AL1and the second alignment film AL2 may not necessarily be interposedtherebetween.

FIG. 5B is a cross section taken along line B-B′ shown in FIG. 3. Thefirst portion P1 and the second portion P2 of the first spacer PS1 areformed integrally as one body. In the example illustrated, a height ofan upper surface of the first portion P1 and a height of an uppersurface of the second portion P2 substantially coincide with each other.That is, the upper surface PSA of the first spacer PS1 is substantiallyflat.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a sub-spacer SS provided in the displaydevice 1. The sub-spacer SS comprises a first spacer PS1 and a secondspacer PS2, as in the case of the main spacer MS. The first spacer PS1is provided in the first substrate SUB1. The second spacer PS2 isprovided in the second substrate SUB2.

In the sub-spacer SS, the first spacer PS1 does not include the secondportion P2, and is substantially formed from only the first portion P1.In the example illustrated, the first spacer PS1 is formed into abelt-like shape having substantially a fixed width, and extends alongthe first direction X in plan view. The first spacer PS1 includes afirst area A1 which overlaps the second spacer PS2, and two second areasA2. The first area A1 is located between the two second areas A2.

A length (fourth length) LA1 of the first area A1 along the firstdirection X is greater than a length L2X of the second spacer PS2 alongthe first direction X. Further, the length LA1 is greater than or equalto a distance (first distance) DS2 between outer edges of the signalline S1 and the signal line S2. Here, the outer edge of the signal lineS1 is one of the edges of the signal line S1, on a side opposite to thesignal line S2, and the outer edge of the signal line S2 is one of theedges of the signal line S2, on a side opposite to the signal line S2.

In the sub-spacer SS as well, the second spacer PS2 extends further fromthe first spacer PS1 along the second direction Y. With this structure,a length of the first opening OP1 opposing the second spacer PS2 alongthe second direction Y is less than a length of the second opening OP2.Here, the lengths are dimensions taken along the second direction Y.

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along line C-C′ shown in FIG. 6. In theexample illustrated, the second spacer PS2 entirely overlaps the firstarea A1. The first area A1 has a thickness (first thickness) T1. Thesecond area A2 has a thickness (second thickness) T2. The thickness T1is less than the thickness T2. In other words, the first spacer PS1comprises a concavity PSC formed by the first area A1 and the secondarea A2.

As illustrated, while the display surface is not being pressurized, thesecond spacer PS2 is spaced apart from the first spacer PS1. Between thesecond spacer PS2 and the first spacer PS1, the liquid crystal layer LCis interposed. At this time, an end portion ES2 of the second spacerPS2, on a side opposing the first spacer PS1 is located below an uppersurface A2A of the second area A2 along the third direction Z. That is,the end portion ES2 is located within the concavity PSC. With thisstructure, if the second spacer PS2 and the first spacer PS1 aredisplaced relatively with respect to each other along the firstdirection X while the display surface being not pressurized, thedisplacement along the first direction X is suppressed by bringing thesecond spacer PS2 and the side surface SP1 of the first spacer PS1 intocontact with each other.

Note that such a structure can adopted as well that the end portion ES2of the second spacer PS2 does not enter the concavity PSC while thedisplay surface being not pressurized unlike the case described above,and it is located above the upper surface A2A of the second area A2.

Moreover, while the display surface is being pressurized, the secondspacer PS2 is, in some cases, brought into contact with the first areaA1. Similarly, even in the case where the second spacer PS2 and thefirst spacer PS1 are displaced relatively with respect to each otheralong the first direction X while the display surface being pressurized,the displacement along the first direction X is suppressed by bringingthe second spacer PS2 and the side surface SP1 of the first spacer PS1into contact with each other.

Note that in the sub spacer SS as well, the concavity of the contacthole CH3 is filled with the first spacer PS1.

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken along line D-D′ shown in FIG. 6. Since,here, the first spacer PS1 does not include the second portion P2, thesecond spacer PS2 partially opposes the first spacer PS1.

FIG. 9 is a cross section showing an example of a method of forming thefirst spacer PS1 of the sub-spacer shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9,part (a), a layer OI1 formed from, for example, an organic insulatingmaterial such as polyimide is formed on the pixel electrode PE and thefifth insulating film 15. Subsequently, as indicated by an alternatelong and two short dashes line in FIG. 9, part (a), a mask M1 is placedonto a region corresponding to the second area A2. Then, the layer OI1is exposed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, part (b), the layer OI1 is developed, therebyforming a layer OI2. Here, in the region shielded by the mask M1, thesecond area A2 having a thickness T2 is formed. On the other hand, theexposed region has a thickness T1, which is less than the thickness T2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, part (c), a mask M2 is placed on a regioncorresponding to the first area A1 and the second area A2. The mask M2overlaps the contact hole CH3. After that, the layer OI2 is exposed.

Next, the layer OI2 is developed as shown in FIG. 9, part (d). Thus, thelayer OI2 is removed in the exposed region, and the first area A1 havingthe thickness T1 is formed. By the processing steps discussed above, thefirst spacer PS1 involving the two thicknesses T1 and T2 is formed.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing main spacers MS adjacent to each otheralong the first direction X. The main spacer MS1 comprises a firstspacer PS11 and a second spacer PS21. The arrangement of the firstspacer PS11 and the second spacer PS21 is similar to that of the firstspacer PS1 and the second spacer PS2 shown in FIG. 3. That is, the firstspacer PS11 includes a portion P11 extending along the first direction Xand a portion P21 extending from the portion P11 in the second directionY.

The main spacer MS2 comprises a first spacer PS12 and a second spacerPS22. The arrangement of the first spacer PS12 and the second spacerPS22 is equivalent to the arrangement of the first spacer PS11 and thesecond spacer PS21, which is rotated by 180 degrees in the X-Y plane.More specifically, the first spacer PS12 includes a portion (fourthportion) P12 and the portion (fifth portion) P22. The portion P12extends along the first direction X as in the case of the portion P11.For example, the location of the portion P12 coincides with the locationto where the portion P11 extends. On the other hand, the portion P22projects in a direction oppose to that of the portion P21.

The second spacer PS22 overlaps the portion P12 and the portion P22.Therefore, the second spacer PS22 and the second spacer PS21 extendingin directions opposite to each other with regard to the portions P11 andP12. That is, the second spacer PS22 is located on a side spaced awayfrom the scanning line G2 further than from the second spacer PS21.Therefore, the length of the opening OP3, which opposes the portion P22and the second spacer PS22, along the second direction Y is less thanthe length of the opening OP4 along the second direction Y. The openingOP3 and the opening OP4 are adjacent to each other along the firstdirection X.

With the above-described structure, even if the second substrate SUB2 isdisplaced with relative to the first substrate SUB1 along the seconddirection Y, the state where the portion P21 and the second spacer PS21overlap each other is maintained. Moreover, even if the second substrateSUB2 is displaced with relative to the first substrate SUB1 along adirection opposite to the second direction Y, the state where theportion P22 and the second spacer PS22 overlap each other is maintained.

Note that the above-described arrangement can be applied also to thesub-spacers SS adjacent to each other along the first direction X.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of arrangement of the mainspacers MS shown in FIG. 3 and the sub-spacers SS shown in FIG. 6. Inthe figure, the first spacer PS1 of each of the main spacers MS is inblack.

In the example illustrated, the display device 1 comprises pixels PXRemitting red, pixels PXG emitting green and pixels PXB emitting blue. Ared color filter is disposed on each of the pixels PXR. The pixels PXRare indicated by upward-sloping hatch lines in the figure. A green colorfilter is disposed on each of the pixels PXG. The pixels PXG areindicated by downward-sloping hatch lines in the figure. A blue colorfilter is disposed on each of the pixels PXB. The pixels PXB areindicated by horizontal lines in the figure.

The pixels PXR, PXG and PXB are all arranged along the second directionY. Moreover, the pixels PXR, PXG and PXB are arranged along the firstdirection X in this order.

For example, the main spacers MS and the sub-spacers SS are eachdisposed near the respective pixels PXB. More specifically, the secondspacers PS2 of the main spacers MS and the sub-spacers SS, and therespective pixels PXB are arranged along the second direction Y. Withsuch arrangement, of the pixels PXR, PXG and PXB, only the pixels PXBwith low luminosity are partially shielded.

According to this embodiment, the first spacer PS1 is formed on thefifth insulating film 15 and the pixel electrode PE. The concavityformed by the contact hole CH3 is filled with the first spacer PS1.Moreover, the upper surface of the first spacer PS1 is substantiallyflat. Therefore, mechanical strength against the pressurization on thedisplay surface, while the first spacer PS1 and the second spacer PS2being in contact with each other, can be improved.

Moreover, the concavity is filled with the first spacer PS1 andtherefore the first portion P1 extending along the first direction X canbe formed directly above the contact hole CH3. The main spacers MS1 andMS2 arranged along the first direction X respectively comprise portionsP21 and P22 projecting from the portions P11 and P12 in directionsoppose to each other. With this structure, the sizes of the portions P21and P22, which are necessary for the displacement along the seconddirection Y, can be reduced. Consequently, the ratio of the portion ofthe light-shielding layer BM, which covers the first spacer PS1 and thesecond spacer PS2, can be reduced, thereby making it possible tosuppress the lowering of the aperture ratio.

Further, the length L2X of the second spacer PS2 along the firstdirection X is less than or equal to a DS1 between the inner edges ofsignal lines adjacent to each other. Therefore, the second spacer PS2can be accommodated in one pixel PX in plan view. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 11, the second spacer PS2 is disposed on each of those of thepixels PX emitting a color of low luminosity, and thus non-uniformity ofcolor tone and non-uniformity of luminance, which results from thedifference in aperture ratio can be further suppressed.

Moreover, in the sub spacer SS, the first spacer PS1 includes a firstarea A1 and a second area A2, which have thicknesses different from eachother. The thickness T1 of the first area A1 which opposes the secondspacer PS2 is less than the thickness T2 of the second area A2, and theend portion ES2 of the second spacer PS2 is located within the concavityPSC formed by the first area A1 and the second area A2. With suchstructure, even if the second spacer PS2 and the first spacer PS1 arerelatively displaced from each other along the first direction X, thesecond spacer PS2 and a side surface SP1 of the first spacer PS1 can bebrought into contact with each other. Therefore, the gap between thefirst substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 along the firstdirection X can be suppressed. Thus, the color mixture of the pixelsPXR, PXG and PXB arranged along the first direction X can be suppressed.

Further, even while the display surface being pressurized, the gapbetween the second spacer PS2 and the first spacer PS1 along the firstdirection X is suppressed in the sub spacer SS. Therefore, damaging ofthe first alignment film AL1, which may be caused by the displacementbetween the second spacer PS2 and the first spacer PS1, can besuppressed. Thus, leakage of light caused by the scratch on the firstalignment film AL1 can be suppressed.

As described above, according to the embodiment, a display device withan improved display quality can be provided.

Next, another example of the main spacer MS will now be described withreference to FIGS. 12 to 15.

The example shown in FIG. 12 is different from that shown in FIG. 3 inthat the first spacer PS1 includes a portion (third portion) P3projecting to a side opposite to the second portion P2. A length L2Y ofthe second portion P2 and a length (third length) L3Y of the portion P3are different from each other. In the example illustrated, the lengthL2Y is greater than the length L3Y. Note that the length L2Y may be lessthan the length L3Y. In this case, the first spacer PS1 is equivalent tothe first spacer PS12 shown in FIG. 6. The second spacer PS2 overlapsthe first portion P1, the second portions P2 and the portion P3.

The example shown in FIG. 13 is different from the example shown in FIG.3 in that the first portion P1 comprises a concavity CC, and theconcavity CC is located on an opposite side to the second portion P2.That is, the concavity CC and the second portion P2 are arranged alongthe second direction Y. The second spacer PS2 overlaps the first portionP1 and the second portion P2.

The example shown in FIG. 14 is different from that shown in FIG. 3 inthat the second portion P2 and the second spacer PS2 are located betweenthe signal line S1 and the signal line S2. That is, the second portionP2 does not overlap the signal line S1 or S2.

The example shown in FIG. 15 is different from that shown in FIG. 3 inthat the second portion P2 and the second spacer PS2 overlap both of thesignal lines S1 and S2.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 as well, the first spacer PS1 isformed in a region which overlaps the contact hole CH3. Therefore, anadvantageous effect similar to that of the example shown in FIG. 3 canbe obtained.

Next, other examples of the display device 1 will be described withreference to FIGS. 16 to 19. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an exampleof arrangement of sub spacers SS shown in FIG. 3 and main spacers MSshown in FIG. 6. The example shown in FIG. 16 is different from thatshown in FIG. 11 in fillers FL are formed between a respective pair of amain spacer MS and a sub-spacer SS adjacent to each other along thefirst direction X, and between a respective sub-spacer SS and arespective sub-spacer SS.

In the example illustrated, the fillers FL are each formed into abelt-like shape having a width subsequently equal to that of the mainspacers MS and the first spacers PS1 of the sub spacers SS. The fillersFL each extend along the first direction X and are connected to therespective main spacers MS and sub-spacers SS. In regions where the mainspacers MS and the sub-spacers SS are not provided, the fillers FLoverlap the respective contact holes CH3.

FIG. 17 is a cross section taken along line E-E′ shown in FIG. 16. Inthe example illustrated, between the main spacer MS and the sub-spacerSS, the signal lines S1, S2 and S3 are arranged along the firstdirection X in this order. The fourth insulating film 14 comprisescontact holes CH31 and CH32 adjacent to each other along the firstdirection X. The contact hole (first through-hole) CH31 is locatedbetween the signal line S1 and the signal line S2 along the firstdirection X. The contact hole (second through-hole) CH32 is locatedbetween the signal line S2 and the signal line S3 along the firstdirection X. The pixel electrodes PE are connected respectively to therelay electrodes RE which constitute the switching element SW in thecontact holes CH31 and CH32.

The filler FL is formed on the pixel electrodes PE and the fifthinsulating film 15 in the regions where the main spacers MS and thesub-spacers SS are not provided. More specifically, the filler FL coversthe connection portions CN of the pixel electrodes PE and fills thecontact holes CH31 and CH32. Thus, in the regions where the main spacersMS and the sub-spacers SS are not provided, the unevenness createdaround the pixel electrodes PE due to the contact holes CH31 and CH32,can be lessened.

The filler FL comprises a main body portion (first main body portion) F1provided in the contact hole CH31, a main body portion (second main bodyportion) F2 provided in the contact hole CH32, and a leg portion F3extending outwards from the openings of the contact holes CH31 and CH32.The leg portion F3 extends continuously between the contact hole CH31and the contact hole CH32, so as to connect the main body portion F1 andthe main body portion F2 to each other. That is, the main body portionsF1 and F2 and the leg portion F3 are formed integrally as one body.

The filler FL is formed from an organic insulating material. Forexample, the filler FL can be formed from a material and by a processsame as those of the first spacer PS1 of the main spacer MS and thesub-spacer SS. That is, the filler FL is formed integrally with the mainspacers MS and the sub-spacers SS as one body. In the exampleillustrated, the location of an upper surface FLA of the filler FL andthe location of an upper surface A1A of the first area A1 in thesub-spacer SS substantially coincide with each other along the thirddirection Z. But, the location of the upper surface FLA and that of theupper surface A1A may be different from each other.

In the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, advantageouseffect similar to those of the example shown in FIG. 3 can be obtained.Moreover, the concavity of the contact hole CH3 in each pixel PX isfilled with the filler FL, the unevenness created due to the contacthole CH3 can be significantly lessened. Consequently, disorder inalignment in the liquid crystal element, which results from theconcavity can be suppressed. Particularly, in the structure of theembodiment, the size of the pixels PX is small, and therefore the ratioof the contact hole CH3 in each pixel PX is large. The embodiment iseffective especially in the structure involving a high-definitiondisplay area DA in which contact holes CH3 are densely and continuouslyarranged one next to another (that is, a display area DA including agreat number of pixels PX per unit area).

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an example of arrangement of the mainspacer MS shown in FIG. 3 and the sub-spacer SS shown in FIG. 6. Theexample shown in FIG. 18 is different from that of FIG. 16 in that anisland-like filler FL is formed, which overlaps each of the contactholes CH3. In the example illustrated, the filler FL has the same shapeas that of the contact holes CH3, and have substantially the same sizeas that of the contact holes CH3 in plan view. It suffices if the fillerFL just covers all of the contact hole CH3, and the shape thereof is notlimited to that of the example illustrated.

FIG. 19 is a cross section taken along lines F-F′ shown in FIG. 18. Thecontact hole CH31 is filled with the filler FL1 and the contact holeCH32 is filled with the filler FL2. The filler FL1 and the filler FL2are not continuous to each other. In the example illustrated, an uppersurface FLA1 of the filler FL1 and an upper surface FL2A of the fillerFL2 coincide with the upper surface of the fifth insulating film 15along the third direction Z. Therefore, in the regions where the mainspacers MS and the sub-spacer SS are not provided, the first alignmentfilm AL1 is substantially flat.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 as well, the concavity of thecontact hole CH3 is filled with the filler FL, and the unevennesscreated due to the contact hole CH3 can be significantly lessened.Therefore, in these examples, advantageous effect similar to those ofthe examples shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 can be obtained.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A display device comprising: a first substrateincluding a first signal line and a second signal line adjacent to eachother along a first direction, an organic insulating film located overthe first signal line and the second signal line, and a first spacerlocated on the organic insulating film; and a second substrate opposingthe first substrate and including a second spacer opposing the firstspacer, wherein the organic insulating film includes a firstthrough-hole between the first signal line and the second signal line,and a second through-hole adjacent to the first through-hole via thefirst signal line in the first direction in plan view, and the firstspacer is provided to overlap and fill the first through-hole and inplan view.
 18. The display device according to claim 17, wherein thefirst substrate further comprises a switching element including a relayelectrode and a pixel electrode, the first through-hole is disposedabove the relay electrode, the pixel electrode includes a connectionportion connected to the relay electrode in the first through-hole, andthe first spacer overlaps the connection portion and the relayelectrode.
 19. The display device according to claim 17, wherein thefirst spacer includes a first portion extending along the firstdirection and a second portion projecting from the first portion along asecond direction crossing the first direction between the first signalline and the second signal line, and the second spacer overlaps at leastthe second portion in plan view.
 20. The display device according toclaim 19, wherein the first portion has a first length along the firstdirection and the second portion has a second length along the seconddirection, and the first length is greater than the second length. 21.The display device according to claim 17, wherein the first spacerincludes a first portion extending along the first direction and asecond portion projecting from the first portion along a seconddirection crossing the first direction, at least part of an outer edgeof the second portion is located on the first signal line, and thesecond spacer overlaps at least the second portion in plan view.
 22. Thedisplay device according to claim 21, wherein the first portion has afirst length along the first direction and the second portion has asecond length along the second direction, and the first length isgreater than the second length.
 23. The display device according toclaim 21, wherein the first spacer includes a third portion projectingto a side opposite to the second portion, and the third portion has athird length along the second direction, which is different from thesecond length.
 24. The display device according to claim 21, wherein thefirst spacer includes a third portion concave to a side opposite to thesecond portion.
 25. The display device according to claim 17, whereinthe first spacer includes a first portion extending along the firstdirection and a second portion projecting from the first portion along asecond direction crossing the first direction, at least part of an outeredge of the second portion is located on the first signal line and thesecond signal line, and the second spacer overlaps at least the secondportion in plan view.
 26. The display device according to claim 25,wherein the first portion has a first length along the first directionand the second portion has a second length along the second direction,and the first length is greater than the second length.
 27. The displaydevice according to claim 25, wherein the first spacer includes a thirdportion projecting to a side opposite to the second portion, and thethird portion has a third length along the second direction, which isdifferent from the second length.
 28. The display device according toclaim 25, wherein the first spacer includes a third portion concave to aside opposite to the second portion.
 29. The display device according toclaim 17, wherein the first spacer includes a first portion extendingalong the first direction and a second portion projecting from the firstportion along a second direction crossing the first direction, at leastpart of an outer edge of the second portion is located out of an areabetween the first signal line and the second signal line, and the secondspacer overlaps at least the second portion in plan view.
 30. Thedisplay device according to claim 29, wherein the first portion has afirst length along the first direction and the second portion has asecond length along the second direction, and the first length isgreater than the second length.
 31. The display device according toclaim 17, wherein the first substrate includes a third signal line and afourth signal line adjacent to each other along the first direction, theorganic insulating film located over the third signal line and thefourth signal line, and a third spacer located on the organic insulatingfilm, the second substrate includes a fourth spacer opposing the thirdspacer, the organic insulating film includes a third through-holebetween the third signal line and the fourth signal line, and a fourththrough-hole adjacent to the third through-hole via the third signalline in the first direction in plan view, and the third spacer isprovided to overlap and fill the third through-hole and in plan view.32. The display device according to claim 31, wherein the first spacerincludes a first portion extending along the first direction and asecond portion projecting from the first portion along a seconddirection crossing the first direction, the second spacer overlaps atleast the second portion in plan view, and the third spacer includes afourth portion extending along the first direction, and a fifth portionprojecting from the fourth portion in a direction opposite to adirection in which the second portion projects from the first portion.33. A display device comprising: a first substrate including a firstsignal line and a second signal line adjacent to each other along afirst direction, an organic insulating film located over the firstsignal line and the second signal line, and a first spacer located onthe organic insulating film; and a second substrate opposing the firstsubstrate and including a second spacer opposing the first spacer,wherein the organic insulating film includes a first through-holebetween the first signal line and the second signal line, a secondthrough-hole adjacent to the first through-hole via the first signalline, and a third through-hole adjacent to the first through-hole viathe second signal line in the first direction in plan view, and thefirst spacer is provided to overlap and fill the first through-hole, thesecond through-hole, and the third through-hole in plan view.
 34. Thedisplay device according to claim 33, wherein the first substratefurther comprises a switching element including a relay electrode and apixel electrode, the first through-hole is disposed above the relayelectrode, the pixel electrode includes a connection portion connectedto the relay electrode in the first through-hole, and the first spaceroverlaps the connection portion and the relay electrode.
 35. The displaydevice according to claim 33, wherein the first spacer includes a firstportion extending along the first direction and a second portionprojecting from the first portion along a second direction crossing thefirst direction between the first signal line and the second signalline, and the second spacer overlaps at least the second portion in planview.
 36. The display device according to claim 35, wherein the firstportion has a first length along the first direction and the secondportion has a second length along the second direction, and the firstlength is greater than the second length.
 37. The display deviceaccording to claim 33, wherein the first spacer includes a first portionextending along the first direction and a second portion projecting fromthe first portion along a second direction crossing the first direction,at least part of an outer edge of the second portion is located on thefirst signal line, and the second spacer overlaps at least the secondportion in plan view.
 38. The display device according to claim 37,wherein the first portion has a first length along the first directionand the second portion has a second length along the second direction,and the first length is greater than the second length.
 39. The displaydevice according to claim 37, wherein the first spacer includes a thirdportion projecting to a side opposite to the second portion, and thethird portion has a third length along the second direction, which isdifferent from the second length.
 40. The display device according toclaim 37, wherein the first spacer includes a third portion concave to aside opposite to the second portion.
 41. The display device according toclaim 33, wherein the first spacer includes a first portion extendingalong the first direction and a second portion projecting from the firstportion along a second direction crossing the first direction, at leastpart of an outer edge of the second portion is located on the firstsignal line and the second signal line, and the second spacer overlapsat least the second portion in plan view.
 42. The display deviceaccording to claim 41, wherein the first portion has a first lengthalong the first direction and the second portion has a second lengthalong the second direction, and the first length is greater than thesecond length.
 43. The display device according to claim 41, wherein thefirst spacer includes a third portion projecting to a side opposite tothe second portion, and the third portion has a third length along thesecond direction, which is different from the second length.
 44. Thedisplay device according to claim 41, wherein the first spacer includesa third portion concave to a side opposite to the second portion. 45.The display device according to claim 33, wherein the first spacerincludes a first portion extending along the first direction and asecond portion projecting from the first portion along a seconddirection crossing the first direction, at least part of an outer edgeof the second portion is located out of an area between the first signalline and the second signal line, and the second spacer overlaps at leastthe second portion in plan view.
 46. The display device of claim 45,wherein the first portion has a first length along the first directionand the second portion has a second length along the second direction,and the first length is greater than the second length.
 47. The displaydevice of claim 33, wherein the first substrate includes a third signalline and a fourth signal line adjacent to each other along the firstdirection, the organic insulating film located over the third signalline and the fourth signal line, and a third spacer located on theorganic insulating film, the second substrate includes a fourth spaceropposing the third spacer, the organic insulating film includes a fourththrough-hole between the third signal line and the fourth signal line, afifth through-hole adjacent to the third through-hole via the thirdsignal line, and a sixth through-hole adjacent to the third through-holevia the third signal line in the first direction in plan view, and thethird spacer is provided to overlap and fill the fourth through-hole,the fifth through-hole, and the sixth through-hole in plan view.
 48. Thedisplay device according to claim 47, wherein the first spacer includesa first portion extending along the first direction and a second portionprojecting from the first portion along a second direction crossing thefirst direction, the second spacer overlaps at least the second portionin plan view, and the third spacer includes a fourth portion extendingalong the first direction, and a fifth portion projecting from thefourth portion in a direction opposite to a direction in which thesecond portion projects from the first portion.